Emeka Esogbue

30th Anniversary Fall Out: I Groom Musicians to Take After Me -        Princess Oby Eluemunor, Anioma Musician Who Released Alb um at 14 Tells Pen Master Ahead of her 30 th Year music anniversary which comes up later in the year, your PEN MASTER, after a prolonged search in Ekwuoma, caught up with seasoned musician, Princess Oby Eluemunor who is also an indigene of Ekwuoma in Ika North East Local Government Area of Delta State. In this interview, the music exponent popularly called “Ika Lady of Songs” by kinsmen and lovers of her music, tells PEN MASTER (EMEKA ESOGBUE) her growing up years; the parental care, the huddles, the loss and the desire; musical career, her desire to collaborate with fellow Anioma kinsmen, Don Jazzy and Wiz Boy and what the future holds for fellow Anioma musicians. Excerpts:   Pen Master: Nice to catch up with you after a very long search that is worth it though. Can our readers meet you? Eluemunor: (Smiles) Thank you...

The Death of Uche Nwalama Stopped Me but Now, I am Back and Strong -        Heritage Anioma Band Leader, Eluemunor Okafor He is musically a household name in Anioma, one of the earliest Ibusa traditional musicians that entrenched the music in records and also one of people’s longest playing traditional musicians of today. Music Composer, Eluemunor Isichei Okafor, the well-traveled musician also grounded in the people’s culture relieves worthy memory on how recorded music started in Ibusa. The veteran musician speaks to PEN MASTER on a number of issues that helps to fill the musicality gap of the Ibusa people in Delta State. Excerpts: Pen Master: Onyeoma Diyoyo is a household name but for those that are far-off, can our readers meet you? Okafor: Okay, thank you very much, Pen Master. Well, my name is Isichei Eluemunor Okafor. I am the third child but second male child of my parents. I was born to Odigwe Obi Okafor from Umuwor, Ogbeowele in Ibusa,...

“Music Changed My Life” -        Anioma Musician, Ogbogu Okonji Ogbogu Okonji is unarguably the biggest music ambassador in Anioma area of Delta State. The traditional music exponent who had a stint with the Nigeria Customs Service has done remarkably well with his career. Apart from his admonitory lyrics which constantly place a check on society, Ogbogu’s music is appealing and a major source of unity among Anioma people. But the musician has also been severally criticized for praising only the rich and powerful. In this interview with Godfrey Osakwe, Sylvester Asoya, Emeka Esogbue and Austin Afam Ugah, Ogbogu talks about his life and career. Q: Let us begin like this: how does it feel like to be regarded as the biggest traditional musician in the entire Aniomaland? A: Well, I really can’t say, I just found myself playing music when I was in school and as a child I sang a lot when I was playing with my mates. Some people did not underst...

Okafor Eluemunor Diyoyo, popularly called ‘Onyeoma Diyoyo’ by his music fans, one of Anioma’s experienced grassroots musicians played host to EMEKA ESOGBUE. In this interview, he speaks on his sources of inspiration, his humble beginning, why Anioma kind of music is gradually dying and how to revive it, personal efforts geared at correcting societal ills and many more. Excerpts.   Esogbue: You are a noted Anioma cultural musician and your fans praise you for your genre. Can you share with our readers what makes your style of music unique? Okafor: (smiles) Thank you very much. Well, I play the typical Anioma music that Anioma people and beyond enjoy. They say it is danceable. I know, I send messages across with our Anioma kind of music. I send messages to both the old and young about the wellness of life. I think I have in a way fussed the old with the new to make our Anioma music acceptable by all. Secondly, I play my music with ease meaning you will always see...